1. Nonsternotomy Approaches for Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement
Simon Maltais, MD, PhD, Matthew R. Danter, MD, Nicholas A. Haglund, MD, Jan D. Schmitto, MD, John M. Stulak, MD 
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 
Volume 19, Issue 3, Pages (September 2014)
DOI: /j.optechstcvs
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Positioning for left thoracotomy implantation. To select patients with left thoracotomy implantation, we carefully review baseline pulmonary function test results and noncontrast chest computed tomography scan to evaluate the physiological risks associated with a left thoracotomy and anatomical positioning of the ascending aorta and great vessels. For patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, careful evaluation of the capacity of postoperative pulmonary recovery from a thoracotomy is assessed. Generally, patients with an FEV1 < 50% predicted on pulmonary function testing is considered high risk for pulmonary complications, such as difficulty weaning from postoperative mechanical ventilation. For sternal-sparing intercostal outflow graft approaches, a right-sided curvature of the ascending aorta is preferable. In patients with multiple previous proximal coronary artery bypasses, the length of the ascending aorta is assessed along with the patency of grafts on preoperative angiogram and balanced with the challenges of a less invasive approach for LVAD outflow graft anastomosis. All patients considered for minimally invasive and alternative approaches undergo extensive multidisciplinary evaluation of preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to assess chamber size, presence of significant valve anomalies, right ventricular (RV) size, and functional assessment,15 and the presence of LV thrombus. The TTE provides critical information to determine the need for concomitant surgical procedures such as aortic or tricuspid valve repair or patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure at the time of LVAD implantation. Patients with more than mild aortic insufficiency (AI), previous mechanical aortic valve replacement, more than moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and greater than moderate mitral stenosis are preferably approached through a standard midline sternotomy incision. For patients with a documented preoperative LV thrombus, a midline sternotomy incision is preferred to clearly visualize the LV apex. We generally do not close a PFO unless intraoperative transthoracic esophageal echocardiography (TEE) suggests clinical or hemodynamic significance after implant. If deemed significant, percutaneous closure of the PFO using an Amplatzer occluding device is used. Preoperative imaging with computed tomography and vascular ultrasound studies can identify patients who have severe aortic root calcification, abdominal or descending aortic aneurysm, or peripheral vascular disease, which facilitates planning for outflow graft anastomosis and peripheral cannulation site for cardiopulmonary bypass. FEV = forced expiratory volume.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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3. Figure 2
Evaluation of left thoracotomy intercostal space. An intraoperative transthoracic echocardiogram is performed immediately before proceeding with thoracotomy to identify the appropriate area for the thoracotomy incision. Generally, for larger, dilated ventricles, the thoracotomy incision tends to be lateral, whereas patients with smaller left ventricular cavities need a more medial and anterior thoracotomy. The thoracotomy incision is therefore performed and tailored to the individual patient based on the degree of LV remodeling. Transthoracic echocardiography is performed by the operating surgeon and ensures appropriate thoracotomy positioning over the LV apex at the time of surgery. Generally, the thoracotomy is performed in the fifth of sixth intercostal space.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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4. Figure 3
Coring in patients with HVAD implantation. In patients with left thoracotomy implantation, the inflow ring placement is critical to allow an easy pump placement. The locking pin mechanism has to be oriented toward the ceiling or pointing toward the anterior portion of the incision to provide easy placement of the torque wrench through the left thoracotomy incision. Alternatively, a counter incision can be performed anteriorly to tunnel the wrench and reach the inflow ring. Following heparin administration and initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, the coring knife is inserted in the LV apex. After coring is initiated, a direct LV intracavitary examination is thoroughly conducted to inspect for thrombus or potential obstruction of the pump inflow. Indirect examination for LV thrombus is concurrently performed by intraoperative TEE. For off-pump implantation, coring is performed after 30mg of adenosine is given to induce bradycardic arrest. When the coring knife is inserted, time is allowed for hemodynamic recuperation, and placement of the device assures an adequate seal of the LV cavity. Following a second dose of 30mg of adenosine, the HVAD pump is inserted and locked to its final position. TEE = transthoracic esophageal echocardiography.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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5. Figure 4
HVAD placement. The HVAD pump is inserted through the left thoracotomy and locked into its final position. For patients with primary interventions, the outflow graft is gently looped within the pericardium to reach the ascending aorta. Half of the strain relief length is generally removed before insertion to allow easier outflow graft placement and to allow better angulation of the outflow graft within the pericardium. A dental mirror is used to evaluate proper pump placement and to ensure an adequate seal of the pump onto the inflow ring. The driveline can be tunneled to the left subcostal area, but we prefer a right-sided tunneling using a midline subxiphoid counter incision.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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6. Figure 5
HeartMate II left thoracotomy implant. Using surface TTE, a 6-cm left anterior thoracotomy is performed to expose the LV apex. Cardiopulmonary bypass is initiated using femoral access, and coring is performed under TEE guidance. The pump sewing ring is secured in place facing the mitral valve. We use a tie wrap to secure the pump into position first and use the provided stitch secondarily to secure the pump in position. Two anchor stitches are kept out of the thoracotomy incision to facilitate countertraction for pump placement. This helps secure the pump in optimal position while insertion is performed with a decompressed LV. TEE = transthoracic esophageal echocardiography.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

7. Figure 6
HeartMate II inflow cannula placement using left thoracotomy. The HeartMate II pump inflow cannula is inserted in the LV with the pump pointing outside the thoracotomy incision to ease the insertion. A vent is generally used during this maneuver. The pump is locked into position with the provided silk tie, and a tie wrap is applied to secure the pump in place. After proper placement of the pump, the body is placed into the previously created supradiaphragmatic pump pocket. The outflow graft is then filled with saline and tunneled to the ascending aorta through the thoracotomy incision. For patients with complete sternal-sparing approaches, the outflow graft is tunneled in the right pleural cavity through a separate second right intercostal incision; however, an upper hemisternotomy can also be used.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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8. Figure 7
Sternal-sparing left thoracotomy HeartMate II implantation. Minimally invasive access for Heartmate II LVAD implant is technically more challenging as the larger design of the pump requires creation of a pump pocket for appropriate pump placement. Our strategy for minimally invasive implants uses a 4-cm subxiphoid incision to allow the creation of a large pump pocket. The abdominal rectus transversalis fascia is opened and dissected laterally to create a plane above the preperitoneal fat. The dissection is further extended laterally on the left by dividing diaphragmatic attachments and extending the created space to the left pleural cavity. For outflow graft placement to the ascending aorta, we generally use a second incision over the right second intercostal space to ensure optimal surgical visualization and hemostasis during anastomosis. A 20-mm ringed GORE-TEX graft is slid over the outflow graft before the end-to-side anastomosis to the ascending aorta. To avoid infection, the driveline and outflow graft are finally carefully buried below the abdominal rectus transversalis fascia before closure of the subxiphoid incision.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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9. Figure 8
Outflow graft anastomosis to the ascending aorta using upper hemisternotomy (both devices). Our most commonly used on-pump minimally invasive strategy involves a less invasive modified approach as already described by Schmitto et al.5 Similarly, a 6-cm left anterior thoracotomy is combined with a 4-cm right upper hemisternotomy for outflow graft placement. Cardiopulmonary bypass is established after off-pump placement of the LV apex sewing ring and tunneling of the driveline to the right upper quadrant has been performed (using a 1-cm counter substernal midline incision). For most patients, the outflow graft is tunneled within the pericardium and anastomosed on-pump, end-to-side to the proximal ascending aorta using a partial cross-clamp. For patients who underwent a previous sternotomy, the HVAD outflow graft is connected to the ascending aorta after tunneling the graft through the anterior mediastinum.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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10. Figure 9
Preparation of left axillary artery for outflow graft anastomosis after HVAD placement. The left axillary artery is exposed, and proximal and distal control is obtained. Vessels loops are carefully passed around the axillary artery to allow better exposure. An 8-mm GORE-TEX HEMASHIELD graft is anastomosed end-to-side to the proximal portion of the artery.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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11. Figure 10
Left thoracotomy to left axillary artery HVAD implantation. A left axillary outflow graft anastomosis has been increasingly used for specific patient situations when outflow graft anastomosis to the ascending or the descending aorta is contraindicated (aortic aneurysm and severe calcification). Despite the theoretical risk associated with increased left arm perfusion and subsequent arm hyperemia, this technique represents a valuable option for this high-risk group of patients. We carefully administer 5000units of heparin during left axillary artery dissection and mobilization of vessels to minimize risks of thromboembolic complications. An 8-mm GORE-TEX HEMASHIELD graft is beveled and anastomosed end-to-side to the proximal left axillary artery. The anastomosis has to be large and pointed toward the descending aorta to minimize left arm hyperperfusion.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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12. Figure 11
End-to-end anastomosis of outflow graft for left axillary HVAD implantation. The (standard 10mm) HVAD outflow graft is replaced by a 10-mm ringed GORE-TEX HEMASHIELD graft. The ringed reinforcement of the outflow graft decreases risks of flow restriction with arm movement as it exits through the second intercostal space. A left thoracotomy off-pump strategy is generally preferred to minimize risks associated with cardiopulmonary bypass in this high-risk population. The outflow graft is oriented to the left axillary artery and exits outside the thoracic cavity through the second intercostal space. A beveled end-to-end anastomosis is then performed between the 10-mm ringed outflow graft and the previously created 8-mm graft anastomosis.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
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13. Figure 12
Distal restriction of left axillary artery after HVAD implantation. After the HVAD pump is deaired and started, the flow is restricted in the distal left axillary artery using a partial banding technique. Umbilical tape is passed around the left axillary artery and progressively constricted to reduce the mean arterial pressure in the left arm to 50mmHg. It is noteworthy that it is critical to prepare the patient with bilateral radial artery catheters before the intervention to assure monitoring after ligation and throughout the intervention. Partial ligation reduces the risk of left arm hyperperfusion, while maintaining adequate arm blood flow. After the pump is started and speed adjusted from rpm, partial left axillary artery ligation is performed to decrease left arm perfusion. We found that a progressive step-by-step increase in pump speed over a few days may allow gradual distal adaptation to the increased pump flow and decrease risks of left arm hyperperfusion.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

14. Figure 13
Descending aorta anastomosis using left thoracotomy for HVAD implant. We use a double-lumen intubation strategy to facilitate lung retraction. The femoral vessels are exposed for cardiopulmonary bypass if needed. Lung adhesions are dissected if needed, and the inferior pulmonary ligament is freed to optimize exposure. The patient is heparinized, the femoral vessels are cannulated, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is initiated. The HVAD sewing ring position is confirmed with TEE, and the apical sewing ring portion of the HVAD inflow is secured in place using Ethibond 2-0 sutures with felts. After coring the LV, the HVAD is secured in place. The outflow graft is measured and deaired, and a loop is deliberately created to bury the outflow graft in the left pulmonary fissure creating a gentle loop to the descending aorta. An off-pump end-to-side anastomosis using a HeartPort-assisted technique is performed on the descending aorta using a partial cross-clamp, close to the vicinity of the junction of the diaphragm. The outflow graft anastomosis to the descending aorta is performed through the same anterolateral thoracotomy and usually does not require a posterior extension of the incision. The driveline is tunneled, in standard fashion, on the right using a subxiphoid counter incision. Alternatively, the aortic anastomosis can be performed first before placement of pump inflow. We found the latter approach to be more technically challenging. TEE = transthoracic esophageal echocardiography.
Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.optechstcvs )
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions